CHARACTER COUNTS! is a service mark of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.

The purpose of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is to fortify the lives of America's young people with consensus ethical values called the "Six Pillars of Character." These values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth, are:

In our Community....

In the spring of 1997, the District Objective task force agreed that the investigation of Character Education should be one of 17 objectives targeted by the district in 1997-98. From this, a committee was formed consisting of community leaders and school personnel. Under the chairmanship of Dennis Frisbee, the committee investigated character growth programs that were being used throughout the country. The committee heard various presentations and researched several nationally-known character growth programs.

In the spring of 1998, the District Objective task force, upon receiving data collected by the character growth committee, decided that for the 1998-99 school year the objective would be to develop and implement a character growth program.

One of the programs that was initially investigated by this community-wide committee was the CHARACTER COUNTS! program from the Josephson Institute of Ethics. This program had recently been adopted in a neighboring community. Ten committee members, both school staff and community leaders, attended a summer training in 1998 to learn more about CHARACTER COUNTS!

Thirty-five school and community people attended a three-day training in the summer of 1999, led by Dr. Hackley, the national chairperson. 

Mission & Vision Statement

Vision:

A community where all citizens personally embrace positive character and are committed to character development.

Mission:

The mission of the Character Education committee is to provide leadership and coordination which will promote and encourage character development in the communities of Stow-Munroe Falls.

Goals:

The committee will partner with the national CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition to achieve the following goals:

1) Raise the consciousness and commitment of all members of the community, youth and adults, so that all embrace the principle that character counts.

2) Proactively involve the youth and adults in the promotion of character at home, in the schools, the workplace, the community.

3) Encourage and empower families, community and schools to adopt and model the six pillars of character and to integrate education into new and existing programs.

4) Establish a long-term commitment to the concept that character matters, by providing current and future leadership.

5) Develop a means to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Definitions:

Trustworthiness

• Be honest
• Build a good reputation
• Be reliable

Respect

• Be considerate of others & their feelings
• Treat others with respect
• Be tolerant of differences

Responsibility

• Always do your best
• Think before you act
• Use self-control

Fairness

• Listen to others
• Play by the rules
• Share and take turns

Caring

• Help others in need
• Be kind
• Express gratitude and forgiveness

Citizenship

• Respect authority; obey rules and laws
• Volunteer your help and talent
• Preserve and protect the environment

How YOU can be involved:

• Model good character for your children.

• Volunteer your time.

• Give financial support.

• Promote CHARACTER COUNTS!.

• Recognize others with good character.

• Use quotes and phrases in announcements and newsletters.

• Advertise the pillars in your business or office.

• Invite a guest speaker to your business or club.

Committee Leaders:

Jim Saxer - 330-689-5460 - Fishcreek Elementary School

Cyle Feldman - 330-689-5300 - Stow-Munroe Falls High School

Lydia Gamble - 330-688-3295 - Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library

Click here to nominate a Student of the Month

High school wins Sportsmanship, Ethics Award

2007-08 Meeting Schedule

Local activities:

SMFPL Pay it Forward program

• Many of our teaching staff have been trained in the curriculum and many classrooms display the six pillars.

• A "Student of the Month" who exemplifies the six pillars of character is honored in the Stow Sentry. Our schools have also initiated creative ways to recognize students on a daily or weekly basis.

• An annual award is presented to a youth and an adult in the community who is an outstanding example of all aspects of CHARACTER COUNTS!.

• Students and parents march in Stow's annual Fourth of July parade.